Insurance Agent Kept Clients' Cash, Police Say

A Former Allstate Adjuster Is Charged With Grand Theft.

June 5, 2003|By Robert Eckhart Staff Writer

Insurance agent Luis Quintana took money from his clients and put it in his personal bank account instead of getting them the Allstate Insurance policies he'd promised, according to sheriff's detectives.

So far, a dozen ex-customers have said they were ripped off by Quintana, a former adjuster with Allstate Insurance who worked at Adamson Insurance Inc., in Jupiter. Detectives suspect there might be more victims.

Quintana, 29, of Wellington, started scamming people in August 2002, said Detective Wayne Smith.

Quintana's boss, John Izzo, went to the Sheriff's Office in May after a woman complained that Quintana took her money. She had crashed her car and realized she didn't have the insurance she thought she had bought, Smith said.

Izzo said Allstate is refunding money and getting insurance policies for people who Quintana defrauded.

Quintana was arrested May 29 on charges of grand theft and misappropriating insurance funds, both felonies. In that case, Quintana told a West Palm Beach man to make out his $1,431 homeowner's-insurance check to "Quintana Insurance" and deposited it in his personal account at Fidelity Federal Bank and Trust, according to sheriff's reports.

Smith said more charges are forthcoming.

Clients who believe Quintana misled them should call Smith at 561-274-1062.

Robert Eckhart can be reached at rweckhart@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6604.